Detroit Tigers starting pitcher and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal recently underwent tests that revealed loose bodies in his elbow that were causing him pain and restricting his ability to play, ultimately placing him on the Tiger's Injured List (IL).
Skubal turned to orthopedic surgeon and Arthrex faculty member Neal ElAttrache, MD (Los Angeles, CA), who performed Nano arthroscopy to remove the loose body using the Arthrex NanoNeedle™ scope 2.0 camera system.
Featuring a tiny, high‑resolution camera mounted on the tip of a flexible, needle‑like device, the NanoNeedle™ scope 2.0 significantly reduces the large incisions traditionally required for joint entry. This minimally invasive approach allows surgeons to access and visualize anatomy with minimal tissue disruption, resulting in smaller incisions and reduced scarring. The high‑quality imaging enables accurate diagnosis and treatment across multiple joints in a less disruptive manner—resulting in less nerve damage¹, reduced pain² and faster patient recovery³.
“NanoNeedle is clearly advancing our arthroscopic capabilities,” said Dr. ElAttrache. “Utilizing the NanoNeedle I didn’t have to gain access through the triceps tendon, so there’s no tendon pain and no need to wait for it to heal. I was able to maneuver anywhere within the joint and retrieve the loose body without having to debride the soft tissue, which avoids bleeding and swelling.”
Dr. ElAttrache holds the opinion that surgeons are only scratching the surface with the use of NanoNeedle technology. "As we gain greater access and view of articular structures from angles and perspectives previously unavailable to us, I believe we are entering a new age of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of countless injuries and pathologic conditions,” Dr. ElAttrache said.
Arthrex Senior Product Manager Ryan Kellar says that this case highlights exactly what NanoNeedle 2.0 was designed to deliver to surgeons and to patients.
“In this case, Dr. ElAttrache was able to perform the procedure while minimizing tissue disruption and fluid distension, maintaining full diagnostic and therapeutic control,” Kellar said. “This shows that NanoNeedle 2.0 delivers meaningful procedural change, not just incremental improvement.”
National media outlets have taken notice. Since Skubal’s procedure on Friday, May 8, details of the procedure have been featured on ESPN.com, Pardon the Interruption and Buster Olney’s daily podcast, Baseball Tonight. Additionally, an interview with The Athletic (New York Times) includes quotes from Dr. ElAttrache and Ryan Kellar. It also features Connor Hellebuyck’s Arthrex Athlete video. Read the story here: Tarik Skubal’s surgeon explains the NanoNeedle and what comes next for Tigers’ ace - The Athletic.
Tarik’s procedure comes on the heels of the recently published, Level 1 randomized, multicenter evidence demonstrating that needle arthroscopy significantly reduces early postoperative pain drivers compared to standard arthroscopy. 4
In that study, patients treated with needle arthroscopy used approximately 50% fewer opioid pills within the first 24 hours, required significantly less arthroscopic fluid, and reported superior pain and functional scores at 2 and 6 weeks post‑procedure, all without increased complications.
Cases like this with Arthrex Nano technology, along with the successful return of Connor Hellebuyck, NHL MVP and Olympic gold medalist, demonstrate how this minimally invasive technology is improving the way patients are treated and helping athletes return to sport more quickly and with less pain.
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